Skip-loading apparatus



Jan. II', 1927.

D. F. LEPLEY SKIP LOADING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 29.

1924 7 Sheets-Shee Jan. 11 1927.

D. F. LEPLEY sun LOADING AFPARATUS Filed Oct. 29. 1924 '7 Sheets-Sheet llllllllllllll &Montan- Jan. 11 1927.

` D. F. LEPLEY` SKIP LOADING APPARATUS Filed oct. 29,

192 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 I gmxmto Jan. 11 1927.

D. F. LEPLEY SKIP LODNG APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Shet 5 Filed Oct. 29, 1924 1927. D. F. LEPLEY SKIP LOADING APPARATUS Jan. 11

Filed Oct. 29. 1924 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Jan. 11, 1927. V

` D. F. LEPLEY SKIPLOADING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 29, 1924 7 sheets-sheet .yk WN\ Patented Jan. 11, 1927.

Un rea smras arant ersten.

DANIEL F. LEPLEY, OF CONNELLSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA; :EAUL V. LEPLEY, EXECU- TDE OF SAID DANIEL F. LEPLEY, DECEASED, ASSIGNOR TO CDNELLSVELLE IVIANU- FACTURING AND MINE SUPPLY CD., OF CONNELLSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, A COR.-

POBATION.

-SKIP-LOA-DING Arsimim.

Application filed October 29, .1924. Serial No. ?48,615.

This invention relates to a skip loading apparatus designed prinarily for use in mines where coal, ore or other bulk material is to be loaded alternately into a pair of balanced ships.

One ot' the objects of the invention is to provide a mechanism Whereby bull; material dumped into a chute will be directed automatically into one skip and then into the other in properly timed relation.

Anotherobject is to provide a ,chute into which bull( material is to be deliverd, this chute having a means Whereby the material directed thereinto will be automatically diverted to either of two loading pockets.

Another object is to provide means ,controlled by the ships for automatically releasing the load retained in the pocket to be emptied, there being an automatic unloeking system for sate-guarding against improper moves o'f the variousparts of the mechanism and to insure operation of 'the parts in proper sequence. v

A still i'urther object is to providea means for indicating at remote points the position of the load in the chute pockets.

Another object is to provide novel and eficicnt valve nechanism tor controlling the operating means of the appnratus.

A still :further object is to .provide a sgnaling system under the control ot the chute poekets.

A further object is to provide a signal meehanism under the control of the bulk material in the chute pockets.

With the foregoingand other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds the invention resides in the comhination and arrangement of parts and in the details ot' construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the `precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope ot what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

.in the accompanying drawings 'the pre- 'te'rc it 'form ot' the inventionhas been shown.

In said drawings Figure l is a View showing more or less in diagram the relative arrangement of the parts of the loading mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a view in diagram showing the engines, pipe lines and valves-ot the app-aratus.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the controlling valve mechanism and adjacent parts, the auxiliary dump valve being removed therefrom.

Fig. 4 is an elevation of the auxiliary dump valve.

Fig. 5 is a View partly in section and partly in elevatien ot' the mechanism operating the fly gate valve and dump valve.

Fig. 6 is a similar View of a portion of the mechanism showing the same in another position.

Fig. 7 is a plan View of a portion of the meohanism, the upwardly extending connecting rods being in section.

Fig. 8 is a View partly in side elevation and partly in section of a portion of the interlocking valve meehanism.

Fig. 9 is a View partly in section and partly in `elevation of another portion of the interlocking valve me'chanism.

10 is a view sin'ilar to Fig. 9 showing another portion ot the interlocking Valve mechanisn.

Fig. 11 is a view in diagram showingthe signal mechanism.

Fig. 12 is a side elevationot a portion of the chute mechanism.

Fig. 13 is a view partly in plan and partly in section of a portion of .the chute and the parts connected thereto.

Referring to the figures by characters ot reference A designates a mine shaf't and located within the mine is a loading chamber B which communicates with the shaft at C. A pair ot bnlanced skips are adapted to travel within the shaft, these ships being indicated generally at D and E and being so supported that when one of them reaches the loading level the other skip reaches the delivering or discharge level. The Construction of the ships is immaterial although it is preferred to utilize a skip such as shown for example, in Patent #1,304,7 84 issued to me on May 27 1919. It might be stated, however, that each of these skips is provided in the present instance with a tripping device 1 located at any suitable point the'eon for the purpose of Operating certain of the mechanisin when the skip reaches its loading level.

Loading mechansm.

Supported with the chamber B is a loading chute 2, this chute being inclined downwardly toward the outlet C and being provided, at its upper end, with a receiving hopper 3. The lower end of the chute is 'orked to provide separate outlet pockets 4 and 5 respectively so located as to deliver into the tops ot the respective ships D and E Wl1``; brought to loading position. A fly gate G is mounted to Swing within the chute 2, its connection therewith being provided by a shaft 7 located at the angle 'Ormed by the tuverging pockets. This shatt is provided with a erank arni 8 connected, by a link 9, to an arm 10 extending from a shaft 11. Another arm 12 is secured to this shaft 11 and is connected to the piston rod 13 of an air engine 14 or the like tiltably mounted at 15 upon a supporting base 16.

Thus it will be .seen that when pressure is admitted to the engine to drive the pist-on rod 13 in one direction, the fly gate 6 will be thrust to one position so that, for example, the poclet 5 will be shut off from the chute 2 as illustrated in Fig. 13. WVhen the piston rod 13 is propelled in the opposite direction, however, the fiy gate Will be Swung about its axis of rotation to shut oli the other poeket 4 from the chute 2.

Each pocket 4 and 5 has its discharge end disposed substantially in a vertical plane as shown particularly in Fig. 1 and under normal conditions the open ends of the pockets are closed by loading chutes 17 pivotally mounted at- 18 and each adapted, When in one position, to extend upwardly across the open end of its pocket to prevent escape of material therefron. hen in delivering position each loading chute, as shown in Fig. 1, constitutes substantially an extension of the bottom ot' its pocket and overhangs the adjacent skip D or E so as to direct bull( material into the skip.

An arm 19 is extended from a shaft 20 adjacent each pocket and is connected by a link 21 to one end of the loading chute 17. Another arm 22 extends from the shaft 20 and is connected to the piston rod 23 by an engine 24 adapted to be operated by air or other fluid under pressure and it is preferably tiltably mounted as shown at 25. One ot these engines 24 and the parts connected mally as shown in Fg. 12. A cranl: arm t 28 extends from each shaft 26. lVhenever a load is directed into one of the pockets the bull( material pushing against the dependin blades 28, will Swing the blade upwardly anu cause the same to rest upon the material,

thereby swinging the arm 23 upwardlv. r V lhis Wlll operate the signal mechanis'n as herenaiter explained.

For the purpose of supplying bull; .material to the chute 2 suitable dump mechanisin may be used. t is preferred to employ a roiary dump indicated gencrally at 29, this dump being designed to receive a loaded ca F which is fastcned thereto in the usual or any preferred manner so that as the dump is rotated the contents of the car Will be delivered into the hopper 3. The dump can be of the oscillatory type such 'tor example, as disclosed in my Patent #1,450388 issued to me on May 22, 1923, or it can be of the :tull rotary type. In the structure illustrated, the dump 29 s provided with a projecting stop or abutment 30 adapted to bear against a latch 31 which is pivotally connected t one arin ot' a bell crank 32 shown particularly in Fig. 3. A spring 33 is mounted on a pin 34 pivotally connected to the bell eranl: and this spring s adapted to thrust againsta collar 35 on the pin so as to support the latch 31 yieldngly in active position. The other arm or the bell crank 32 is connected by a rod to an arm 37 extending from and rotatable on a shaft 38. Another arm 39 is Secured to this arm 37 and has a red 40 pivotallv connected thereto and extending therejtroni. The upper end of this rod is 'E rmed vith a head 41 provided with a longitiidinal slot 42 and projecting into the ulet is a stud 43 projecting from the short arni of the valve lover 44 which is tulcruned at 45. This lever is mounted upon the casing 46 of a threeway dump valve. The valve can be of an v desired construction and it is not deemed necessary, therefore, to describe or illustrate it in detail.

Secured to the shatt 3c is an arin 47 connected by a rod 48 to the latch 31. Another arm 49 is extended laterally froni and Secured to the shutt 33 and carries a weight 50. ;ir third arm 51 is Secured to the shatt 38 and extends theretrom oppositely to the arm 39, this arm 51 being provided with a V-shaped head 52 forming an angle or apo): 53.

The valve 46 is associated with an aux- AV La iliary valve with which communicate pipe lines and 57 designed to direct fluid under pressure to engines 58 and 59. the engine 58 constitutes a means tor returning the dump 29 to normal position while the engine 59 constitutes a means for Operating the dump 29. A main pressure supply pipe 60 communicates with the valve casings 46 and 55 and will be hereinafter explained.

Pivotally mounted adjacent' each or' the pockets 4 and 5 is a level' 61 one of these levers being provided :tor each skip and one end of each lever being projected normally into the path ot' one ot the tripping projections l. 'l`he other end portion of each lever carries a weight 62 for swinging the lever with its free end normally raised so as to be contacted and depressed by a tripping projection l when a skip arrives at loading position. `he wcighted end of each lever 61 is connected by a rod 63 to a crank arin (l l Secured to and 'extending radially rrom a rock shatt 65. As shown particularly in Fig. 5 the arms 64 on the two shatts 65 are extended toward each other. An arin 66 is extended downwardly from each shatt 65 and located midway between the two shatts is a hanger 67 in which is journaled a shalt 68. This shatt has diverging arms 69 rotatable on it and one ot the arms is connected by a rod 7 0' to one of. the arms 66 while the other arm (39 is connected by a rod 71 to the other arni 66. Thus when shalt 65 is rotated in one direction by the upward movement ot rod 63, motion is transmitted to one arm 66 and 69 and through a rod or 71.

Pivotally connected to the respective arms 66 are rods 72 and 73, rod 72 being provided with a fiat head Te which laps and is adapted to move relative to another head 7:") carried by the rod 73. Each head has an arcuate slot 76, there being an Upward extension at one end ot' one slot 76 as shown at 77, while another upward extension 78 is provided at the other end of the other siot 76. One arni of a bell crank 79 works between the two heads 74: and 7 5 and carries a transverse pin 80, the ends ot which are movably seated in the respective slots 76. Thus it will be seen by reterring to F 5 that when one end ot this pin 80 is seated, for example in the extension 77, thcreby coupling rod 73 to the bell crank 79, the head 74 is uncoupled from the pin because the extension 7 8 is at a point remote 'l'rom the pin.

llhe upper arin of the bell crank 79 is provided with a rod 81 which serves to connect said bell crank to an arm 82 projccting from a valve lever 83. A valve stem 84- is connected to the arm 82 and serves left in Fig. 3

to operate a va'lve 85 which'is in'con'imunication with a main snpply *pipe 86. This 'valve '85 Controls the flow ot' pressure to the engine 14 which operates the fly gate 6. In other words When the valve lever 83 is shifted toone position, press'ure will be -directed through the valve from pipe 86 through a pipe 87 to the engine 14: and pressure will exhaust from said engine through a pipe 88. This operation of the engine will throw the fly gate 6 to one extreme position. By reversing the valve through the operation of `lever 83, the circula'tion ot pressure through the pipes 87 and 88 will he reversesit so that the fly gate 'will thus be moved to its other-extreme position. Any well known type of valve can be used tor the purpose ot reversing the flow cit prea sure and 'it is not deemed necessary to show or describe the same in detail.

A rod 89 is connected to the bell crank 70 and to one arm of a beli crank 90. The

other arm ot this bell crank 'as shown in Fig. 3, carries a roller 91 which normally bears against one of the inclined faces of the angle *head Thus when the rod 89 is thrust upwardly from the position shown in Fig. 3, the roller 91 will press against and depress the angle head 52 so as to cause shaft 38 to rotate against the action of weight 50 while *at the same time a'rm 37 will thrust through rod 36 against bell crank During this operation, 'arin 47 pulls through rod 48 and withdraws latch 31 trom under stop 30. Spring 34 is thus released and expan upwardly, pushing the upper arm of the bell crank 32 upwardly. This pullsthe rod 36 and 'arin 37 to -the and pashes arm 39 and rod 4:0 upwardly 'to unlock or release lever l l (see Fig. 8). Lever 44 can therefore be actuated to work the dump. ln'unediately after the wheel 91 passes the -apex 58, the weight 50 and the spring 33 will return the latch to :its normal position where it will bring the dump to a stop 'when the same is returned to its point oi" starting. Thereatter should the rod 89 be pulled downwardly the roller 91 would be moved back to position shown in Fig. but the same operation ot the latch 'would take place as already described.

Mounted adjacent the fly gate `valve 85 are valves 92 and 93 :tor contrlling the operation of the chutes 17 that cooperate with the skips E and D respectively. In other words the chute 17 which cooperates with the skip E and which is controlled by valve 92 may be designated the left chute while the 'other chute 17 which cooperates with the skip D can be desgnated the right chute. The valve 92 has an Operating handle 94: pivotally mounted at 95, as shown 'in Fig. 9 and provided with `a radal arm 96 to which the valve stem 97 is connected. The arm 96 is pivotally and slidably engaged by the slotted end 98 of a rod 99 connected as at 100 to one arni of a bell crank 101. The other arm of this bell crank is connected by a rod 102 to an arm 103 Secured to shatt 65, which Controls the operation of the rod 73.

The valve 93 which eontrols the right chute has an Operating lever or handle 101 pivotally mounted as at 105 and having an arm 106 to which is pivotally connected the valve stern 107. A rod 108 has a slotted end 109 pivotally and slidably engaging the arm 106 and this rod is pivotally connected at 110 to one arm ot' a bell crank 111. The other arm of this bell crank is connected by a ro l 112 to an arm 113 secured to the other shirit 65 which Controls the operation ot the red 7 2. It will be noted that Valve 85 a dapted to receive fluid under pressure i'rom pipe through a branch pipe 11 1 and similarbranch pipes 115 and 116 conducting pressure from pipe 60 to the ValVes 92 and 93 The fiow of pressure to the pipe 60 can be controlled by a manually operated valve 117 having a handle 118.

Sz'gnal mechcmsm.

There is provided at a suitable point adjacent the valves a signal board 119 and another signal board 120 is located at a point remote therefrom, preterably where it can be seen by the hoist engineer. Each signal board contains asignal bell 121, an air line signal light 122, a chute signal light 123, a lei't chute light 124, and a right chute light 125. The two air line signal lights are electrically connected in series and this lighting circuit includes spaced contaets 126 located in the path of the valve handle 118. Thus when the valve 117 is shifted to open the air line the handle 118 will close the cireuitthrough the contacts 126 and cause the lamps 122 to be illuninated. This will indicate at both signal boards that pressure is in the lines of the system and that the mechanisin is therefore ready to operate.

Connected to the bell crank 19 ot each chute 17 is a rod 127 to which is connected a plunger 128. Each plunger is located close to but spaced from normally engaging contacts 129 which thus complete a circuit to the bells 121 and the lamps 123. A push button or other form of switch 130 is located in this circuit so that by Operating the same the bells will. be sounded and the lights 123 will be fiashed. Each of the plungers 128 has an nsulating terminal 131. V] hen the chutes 17 are closed these insulating por tions are spaced from the Contacts 129 as shown in Fig. 11, it being unclerstood that the closing of the chute 17 will result in pulling downwardly on rods 127. Thus while both chutes are closed the operator at the loading stage can, by pressing the button, or switch 130, sound the bells 121 and flash the lights, thereby signalling the hoist engineer to start the ships. As long as either or both of the chutes 17 is open, one or both of the insulating portions 131 will be positioned between the adjacent contacts 129, thereby breaking the circuit to the bells 121 and lanps 123 and rendering it impossible for a starting signal to be given.

Each of the crank arms 28 has a rod 132 connected to it and these rods are provided ai" their upper ends with plun ers 133 lne plmgcr is normally spaccd :ironi contacts 13 1 electrically connected in series to the lamp 124% ot the left hopper. The other plnnger 133 cooperates with a pair oli contacts 135 electrically connected in series to the lamps 125 ot the right hopper. Thiis when the poclret of either hopper is properly filled so that the blade 27 therein is lifted as before explained, the plunger 133 associated with said hopper will be shifted to close the eircuit to the lamps associated with said hopper, thereby informing the engineer that 'the pocket is properly filled.

It is to be understood that the fly gate 6 normally in one of two extreme positions` and that both chutes 17 are normally closed. If the air pressure is in the pipe lines, thatact will be properly indicated by the lanps 122. f no coal has been dumped into the chute, neither of the lamps 124 or 125 will be lighted and the engineer will thereforc know that it will be useless to bring a skip to loading position.

O emiton.

.lt is to be understood that all ot the lerers ot the control system are manually operated, except the one Operating the fiy gate. Also all levers except the dump Operating level', are locked against movement while the ships are in transit, and even this level' is locked as soon as the dump has been unloaded and returned to normal position.

When coal or other material is dunped into the chute 2 it will he dcticcted by the fly gate (i into one ot the pocl ets %lor As it enl'ers this pocl et the proper signal light 124: or will he iizzshed. lt the eoal enters the right hand poclzet the engineerwill know that the right ship is to he lowered so as to be loaded froni the right pocket. As this skip reaches the lower limit ot' its n'iovement the projection 1 thereon comes into contact with the lever 61 in the path thereot, thereby eievating its rod (33 so as to rotate the right shalt in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 5. The head 74: which is out ot engagement with the pin 77 will thus he thrust along said pin until extension 78 is brought thereabove at which time said head will drop into engagement with the pin. Sinultaneously with this action the arm 69 moves against the head 75 which is in engagement with pin 88 and litts it so as to disengage it from the pin. Thus the parts are set to actuate the dump holding latch and the dump controlling valve at the proper time when 'the loaded cage starts on itsupward trip.

At the same time rod 99 will be pulled downwardly. Thus lerer 94: which Controls the lett chute 17 will be held againstmovement in the direction of the arrow in F 10 and as rod 108 has been elevated to the position shown by dotted lines in Fg. 9 the yalve handle controlling the right chute will be tree to be swung normally in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 9, thereby opening the valve and allowing air to fiow from the pressure line to the engine 24-. that is connected to the arm 22 oi' the right chute mechanism. This actuation of the engine will result in the opening of the right chute and as the skip D has already arrired in .loading position the chute Will open thereinto so that the contents ot' the right pocket 5 will be delivered into the skip. As soon as this chute is opened the circuit to the bells 191 and lamps 123 is broken and a starting signal cannot` be given. It becomes ,necessary, theretore tor the operator to close the valve 93 in order to close the chute and thereby enable the starting signal to he sounded.

As the loaded skip begins its ascent upon the sounding ot' the starter s signal and which, as before explained can only be sounded a'l'ter both chutes 17 have been closed, the we ghted lever 61 is released and pulls downwardly on the right hand rod 63 in E" ;a 5 Thus the head l which has already dropped into engagement with pin 80 will be pullcd to the right in ig. 5 and cause hell cranl( lever 79 to thrust upwardly through rods 81 and 89. When the right hand shatt was first rotated by the right hand skip when brought to loading position and the links 99 and 108 moved to' positions shown in Figs. 9 and 10 as heretofore described, it obviously becomes impossible to opera' 'je valve because its handle or lever SH was held against movement. Lever 104, could be operated to actuate the right hand ralye 'tor the purpose ot closing chute 17 cooperating with the right trip D. Should the leit trip E descend to loading position, the operation above described would be reyerscd, the leit shaitt 05 being actuated to slide head to the right so that it will drop into engageuent with the pin 80 while at the same time, the left hand arm (39 Will come a ainst and raise head 7% so as to uncouple it 'i n the piu. Thus when the left hand skip ascends the head 75 will pull on bell crank lerer 79 and cause the rods 81 and 89 to pull downwardly.

ll rom the :toregoing it will be noted that a'relicient interlocking arrangement is provided whercby it becomes impossible to open the wrong chute and only that chute can be opened which is associated with a skip that has been brought to the loading point. As betore noted each time one of the rods 63 is thrust upwardly the rods 81 and 89 will be actuated. When rod 81 is thrust upwardly or pulled downwardly, it actuates ValVe leVer 83 so as to shit t ValVe 85 and direct pressure to one end ot the engine 14. Thus the fly gate wi l be swung 'from one extreme posi tion to the other. This will cut oti' communication between the open or delivering pocket and the chute 2 and will establish communication between said chute 2 and the closed pocket.

Simultaneously with this shifting ot the iiy gate, which takes place whether the valve handle 83 is moved to the right or to the left, the rod 89 thrusts against arm 90 and causes roller 91 to momentarily depress arm 51. Thus latch 33 is shifted to release the rotary dump and a new supply ofmaterial is delivered into the chute 2 and the pocket communicating therewith.

The spring 33 which has been held under restraint shi'ts the bell crank 32 so as to pull through rod 35 upon the arm 37, thereby causing arm 39 which is connected thereto, to swing on shatt 38 and thrust rod 40 upwardly. This releases lever let so that it can be swung back and torth to direct air under pressure from pipe 00 into either engine 59 or 58. Thus the operator can actuate the dump and can return it to normal position. When the dump is in ear receiving position, it is not possible to operate lever d because the slotted head ll will hold the lever against movement. It is sometimes advisable to operate the dump without depending upon releasing of the Valve lover by the automatic mechanism. For this purpose the auxiliary ValVe 55 has been provided. This ValVe is adapted to be opened by a leyer or handle 136. The auXiliary Valve is so connected to the pipe line, that when it is operated pres-sure can be directed successiyely to the two engines independently of the operation of ValVe 4:6. In other words pressure is by-passed around yalve 16 through valve 55. This auXiliary valve is only used when the dump requires actuation independently of the balance of the mechanism.

The pipe connections between the valves 4:6 and 55 are such that motive fluid passing through the system will first enter this auxiliary or emergency valve and then pass to the regular Operating ValVe 46 while the exhaust from the regular Operating Valve will pass out through the emergency valve to the atmosphere. The handle or level' 136 of the auXiliary or emergency ValVe is weighted as shown at 137 so that said ValVe will b maintained normal in a predeternined position. When the emergency or auXiliary valve is in normal position, the rotary dump can be opc 'ated to and tro by the operator through the manipulation ot the released valve lever 44 and until the dump is returned to normal position at which time lever 44 is locked against further movement as has heretofore been explained. By the use of the auXiliary or emergency valve, hoWever, it is always free for manual operation, the rotary dump can still be moved back and torth should such action be necessary before the Valve lever 44 is unlocked. The ValVe 4:6 may be of a standard type and the same is likeWise true of the valve 55. a

lVhat is claimed is z 1. In a hoist mechanism the combination With a chute having a pocket, and a loading chute normally closing the pocket, of power operated mechanism tor release by an operator to mo-ve the loading chute to an open position, means :tor normally looking said mechanism against operation, a skip, and means operated by the skip When brought to loading position for unlocking said mechanism.

2. The combination With a bulk holding pocket and a loading chute normally closing the same, ot power operated means for moving the chute to delivering position, a normally locked member for controlling said mechanism, a starter s signal, a skip, means operated by the skip When brought to loading position `tor unlocking said member, and means operated by the chute When brought to delivering position 'or rendering the starter s signal inoperative.

3. The combination With a bulk holding elementand a loading chute normally closing the same, of power operated means for shifting the chute, a normally locked member for controlling said mechanism, means operated by a skip When brought to loading position for releasing said member, a starter s signal, and means operated by the chute when brought to delivering position :tor rendering the signal inoperative.

t. The co mbination With a bulk holding element, a delivery chute, a skip, and means for shitting the chnte to dir-ect material 'from said bulk holding element to the skip, of a startefis signal, and means operated by the chute When moved to delivering position for rendering the signal inoperative.

5. The combination With separate bulk rcceiving pockets, of delivering chutes normally closing the respective pockets, separate power operated means for actuating the respective chutes, a normally locked member for controlling the operation ot each of said means, balanced skips movable alternately to loading positions, and means operated by each skip, When brought to loading position for releasing the controlling member of the loading chute and holding the member of the other chute against movement.

(i. The combination With separate pockets for receiving bulk material and delivering chutes 'or closing the respective pockets, balanced skips movable to loading positions adjacent the respective pockets, separate power operated means for actuating the respective chutes, normally locked members for controlling the operation of said means, and means operated by each skip When brought to loading position `for unlocking the member controlling the delivering of material to said skip.

7. The combination With separate bulk holding pockets and delivering chutes normally closing the pockets, of separate power operated means ;tor actuating the respective chutes, normally locked members controlling the operation of the respective means, balanced skips movable to loading positions adjacent the respective pockets, means opcrated by each skip When brought to loading position 'for releasing the member controlling the loading oi" said skip, a star-ter? signal, and .means operated by either or both chutes when out ot closed position tor rendering O the signal inoperative.

8. The combination With separate bulk receiving pockets, of loading chutes normally closing the respective pockets, separate means for Operating the respective chutes, balanced skips movable successively to loading positions, adjacent the respective pockets, a startefs signal, and means operated by either or both chutes When out of closed position 'for rendering the signal inopcrative. i

9. The combination With a chnte and separate pockets communicating thereWith, ot a y gate for live'ting bulk material *ti-om the ch ute into either pocket, balancec skips movable successively to loading positions against the respective pockets, power operated means :tor movin;` the fly gate to either of two extreme positions, a reverse means for controlling said power operated means, and means operated by each skip When brought to loading position for Shitting the reverse mears to reverse the position ot the fly gate.

10. The combination With a chute and separate pockets communicating therewith. ot' means tor closing comnnmication between said chute and either pock balanced ships mov ble alternately LO loading poi- :ions arljacent the respective pocl ets, and means operated by the skips When brought to lozniing positions tor opening communication ll"- tween one of the pockcts and the chat and (losing communication between the other pocke: and the chute.

ll. The combination With a chute and a pocl tet conm'iunicating therevith, oi" means tor closing connnunication betu een the chute and pocket, a loading chute normally clos-' ing the pocket, normally locked power oper- Lol-%373 ated means 'tor actuating the chnte, a skip movable to loading position ad acent the pocket, and means operated by the skip `pocket, a signal device, and means oper-- ated by bulk material admiited to the poclet 'tor actuating the signal deyice.

l-l. The combination With separate pocket signaling devices and a starter s si 'nal, ot separate pockets, means for deliveiing bull( .material thereto, means operated by bull: material When admitted to the respective pocl tets :tor actuating the r spective pocket signal devices, loading chntes normally closing the respective pockets, means tor actua'ing the respective chutes, and means opcrated by either or both ot' the 'loading chntes tor rendering the starter s signal inactive,

ll. lhe combination With a chute, a p'l.- et communicating thereivith, and a loading chute normally closmg the poclcet, o'l' a rotary dump ;tor discharging` into 'the first named chute, means tor looking the dump against movement, a skip, power operated means 'tor actuating the loading chute, and means operated by the skip When brought to loading position 'tor actuating the loading chnte to release the contents ot the perket.. 't'or nnlocking the dump.

15. l`he combination With a pocket, a loading chutc normally closing the same, a movable dump, and means 'or directing materia] from the dump to the pocl tet, ot means 'tor controlling` the dump against movement, a power operated means for actuating the dump When released, a normally locked valve toi:` controlling the power operated means, power operated means tor actnating the loading chute, a normally locked valve tor controll'ing said means, a skip, and means opera ed by the skip When brought to loading position for releasing the said valves to permit manual actuation thereot and :tor releasing the dump.

16. The combination With balanced skips, separate loading chutes theretor, a controlling member for each chute, and an operating element, :tor each valve member, of separate shafts, separate skip operated means 'for independently rotating the shatts in oppo: 'ite directions respectively, links slidably and pivotally connected to the respective members, Operating elements for holding them normally against movement, and means operated by either shaft ;tor shitting a link to release one of the member operating members tor aetuation.

17. The combination With balanced skips,

separate loading chutes therefor, a controlling member for each chute and an operating element for each` member, ot links slidably and pivotally connected to the respective member Operating elements tor normally holding them against movement, and means operated by each skip When brought to loading position, tor shifting aclink' to release one of: the member opc-rating members for actuaton.

18. The combination With balanced skips, separate loading' chutes therefor, and'` a gate tor controlling the fioW of bulk material to the chute, or" a controlling member for each chute and the gate, an Operating element for each member, links slidably connected to the respective chute member Operating elements to hold them against movement, means operated by each skip When brought to loading position ;For shifting a link to release one of the chute member Operating elements for actnation, and means operated by the actuat on of the shatts in either direction for operatingthe gate controlling member.

19; The combination With balanced skips, separate loading chutes therefor, a controlling memher'tor each chute, and an operating element for each member, of a gate 'or eontrol-lingthe flow of bulk material to the chutes, a member for controlling the operation ot the gate, a lever for actuating said member, separate shafts, slotted means operatively connected to said shafts and lapping each other and the lever, means on the lever projecting into the slots, said slotted members being alternately movable by gravity into interlocked relation With said means, lifting devices connected to the respective' shafts ;tor disengaging the slotted means from operative engagement With the lever, during successive rotation ot the shafts in opposte directions, links slidably and pivotally connected to the respective chute member Operating means, and connections between said links and the respective shafts for'shifting the links in opposite directions respectively' When the shatts are rot'ated, thereby to release one of' the' chute member operatng elements tor actuation" and to maintain the. other chute member Operating element against actuation.

20. In an apparatus of the class described, an inter-looking mechanism including spaced controlling shafts, diverging litting arms mounted for rotation, connections between said arms and the shafts,.an Operating lever, slotted heads lapping the lover, each slot provided With an` extension, the extensions ot the tWo Slots being oppositely disposed, an operative connection between each head and one of the shafts, and means upon the lever projecting into both slots 'for successive engagement With the extensions of the slota said lifti-ng arms Operating in timed relat-ion for successivelv litting the heads to disengage them ifrom the lever.

means to release one of the member operating members tor actuation.

29. The combination With spaced skip operated sha-its andavalve controlling means coupled to the respective shait'ts, of a dump restraining means, a lever, a gate Operating valve, a connection between said valve and the lever, means operated by the lever When moved in either direction for releasing the dump from the restraining means, and for aetuating the valve to operate its gate, lapping heads actuated by the respective shatts and each having a slot provided with an extension, the extension and the two slots being positioned at opposite extremities respectively, means on the lever :tor engagement by the slotted portions ot the heads and normally seated in one of the extensions, and separate means operated by the shatts for successively actuating either of the heads to engage 'the lever, and subsequently to lift the lever engaging head to disengage it from the lever, the other head being movable by gravity into engagement with said lever when the lever is brought to one limit of its movement.

30. The combination With spaced skip op erated shafts and valve Controlling means coupled to the respective shafts, of a dump restraining means, a lever, means operated by the lever when moved in either direction or releasing the dump from its restraining means, lapping heads actuated by the respective shafts and each having` a siot provided with an extension, the extension and the two slots being positioned at opposite extremities respectively, means on the lever for engagement by the slotted portions of the heads and normally seated in one of the extensions, and separate means operated by the shafts for successively actuating either of the heads to engage the lever, and subsequently to lift the lever engaging head to disengage it from the lever, the other head being movable by gravity into engagement With said lever When the lever is brought to one limit of its movement.

31. In apparatus of the class described, the combination With a dump, an engine for Operating the dump, a valve for controlling the operation of the engine, and means 'or holding the dump against movement, of a chute having separate outlets, a fly gate tor diverting material to either outlet, means for shtting the fly gate to either ol? two extreme positions, means operated by the shii'ting of the fly gate 'or simultaneonsly releasing the dump for movement and r-eleasing the dump controlling valve, and a manually operated auxiliary valve for conti'olling the operation of the dump engine independently of the actuation of the first named dump. valve. e

32. In apparatus of the class described the combination with a dump, an engine for operating the dump, means for oontrolling the operation of the engine, and means normally restraining the dump, of a chute having separate outlets, a fly gate for diverting material to either outlet, means for shifting the fly gate to either of two extreme positions, and means operated simultaneously with the fly gate for shifting the restraining means out of dump restraining position and releasing the dump controlling means.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aztfixed my signature.

DANIEL F. LEPLEY. 

